Down on Main Street

Bacon on Main Street in Nantucket.  Not sure who's holding him.

Photo credit: GM

Ginger snap!

In case you haven't heard, it has been between 90 and 108 degrees in NYC this week.  I heard it described as the heat of Texas with the humidity of Florida. In other words
The worst of all possible worlds (with apologies to Dr. Pangloss/Voltaire/Leibniz.)



Stay cool fool!

You're supposed to keep hydrated and that means drinking water or juice before you feel thirsty.  So as a helpful tip I pass along this recent brain-flash I had.

I can't believe it took me so this long to figure this out.

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You know the slivers of ginger root that come with sushi?  Keep them in the 'fridge & add them to pitchers or glasses of water or iced tea. 




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You're welcome.

ABG

PS:  Check on elderly neighbors and make sure they stay hydrated too!

Hidden Snack Spots: Midtown Edition

I love the creative spirit of David Chang and all of his food

Lucky Peach

but especially the yummy treats at Milk Bar.  Plus the packaging is really cool!  I am a sucker for packaging & in this instance it is eco-friendly.  There is not a single piece of plastic or non-biodegradable anything anywhere to be found:



Photo by ABG


If you can't pop in, you could shop on-line & ship the treats.  What a fun little hostess gift or pick me up for a pal who may be feeling down.  They are on 56th btw 5th & 6th on the North side of the street in the Chambers hotel but you can enter directly via the Milk Bar entrance. Not much (if any) room to sit down.  Also this street can be stinky on a hot summer day, especially near 6th Ave.

The other spot is the cafe at the Folk Art Museum, you can sit here.  The Folk Art Museum is next to the MoMA on 53rd btw 5th & 6th, closer to 6th.  It is easy to miss.  Just walk in & tell the ticket seller you are going to the cafe (no ticket required) and you'll be directed to the staircase.  Head up 1 flight of stairs or you can take the elevator.  Check out the tiny gift shop on your way out, it is on the 1st floor next to the entrance.  The caveat on this place is that they can't afford the space so the building is for sale.  You may want to call before you go: 212-595-9533. 

Last but not least, there is a mini Le Pain Quotidian on 53rd btw 5th & Madison (yawn.)  The tip here is that is next to Paley Park , a well shaded vest-pocket park with a waterfall.  It was designed & paid for by William Paley, former Chairman of CBS.  What a great gift to the city!




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Enjoy!
ABG

Happy 4th of July!

I work for a British company so the "Independence Day" jokes have been flying all week.

Have a super fun & safe Fourth!

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God Bless America indeed,

ABG

Members' Collection House Tour

July 7 - "Members' Collection House Tour" 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Several museum members have opened their homes for guests to view their extensive lightship basket collections. Learn about what has attracted these collectors and how they continue to search for special treasures to add to their collection.  Tickets available for $40 and include a reception at the last house on the tour.

Buy tix here

Every Resort Town Should Do This!

Stop & Shop Product Finder

They changed the Stop & Shop around. Forget about esthetics, where's the hummus? Here's the first version of where to find most things you want - we'll keep refining it as we visit and with any suggestions you send in. Click anywhere on the lists to download a printable pdf version. (I dont know how to add this feature allowing you to print a PDF but if you shop in Nantucket the original is from the Mahon About Town Newsletter dated June 16, 2011.)

Pancake Mix Aisle 1

Click to Enlarge

I don't care if they changed the store around or not as everyone who visits a new place never knows where anything is kept.  You end up with a crowded store filled with clueless people crashing their carts into each other every weekend.

Father's Day ideas

Father's Day is on Sunday, June 19. "News flash!" (Read with dripping with sarcasm) I find men to be a bit difficult to buy for.  We all do.  You do know why don't you?  It is because when we are small we don't have any money of our own (or access to money if we do have some of our own for some reason.) So the money we spend on a gift for Dad is usually his money.  This coupled with the fact that men hate to shop equals this response "Nothing!" or worse "Socks & underwear." when you ask Dad what he wants for Father's Day, Christmas or his birthday. Here is what, I think, is a genius suggestions for a fun Father's Day gift:

A subscription to the New York Times Crossword Puzzle online*

& a standing date to do it together on Sunday night. 

A one year sub is about $40 or you can try it out a month at a time for $7. No shipping! If one of you is terrible at XWs the Monday puzzle is up by 7:00 p.m. EST Sunday night. If one of you is great (& patient) The Sunday puzzle is still up at 7:00 p.m. as "Yesterday". You can call your Dad up on the phone & speak while you work on the XW or there is an Instant Message (IM) panel on the right hand side of the page which you can use to "chat".  Remember to log off with GG (Good Game) at the end of each match. 

If you want to try something a little different, there is a Challenge option. This pops up older puzzles & allows you to play against each other (or collaborate if you don't want to compete.) There is also a WordPlay Blog which is fun to read.

CAVEAT: The site can be wonky.  Also, it can be confusing to get in to the Play with a Friend site the first few times you try it.  It is NOT intuitive.  You feel like you should click on the TODAY'S PUZZLE text when what you really need to do is to click the PLAY box in the Solve with a Friend Section. 

We both know you know you won't make the Sunday date every week, but if you put it on the calendar there is a better chance you'll make it or at least reschedule.  I don't speak to my parents every week.  I know some speak everyday(!) and most try to speak them every week which is noble.  I'm not making judgements or casting aspersions, I just think as we & our parents get older we should make it a point to reach out to them more often. 

You should be sure to introduce your Dad to the amazing Rex Parker blog.  He does the puzzle & explains the rationale of the overall theme & individual clues, he's really witty!  The comments are very creative, illuminating & downright hilarious at times.

Also, taking your Dad to lunch, dinner or drinks is a nice thought.  Just the two of you, his favorite spot.  Or maybe a lecture?  My Dad took me to hear Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. speak at the Midland Center for the Arts when I was a High School student.  We discussed policy all the way to the lecture & all the way home and I think for many days after.  What a great gift & it wasn't even my birthday!

Hope this post gets the creative juices flowing & you come up with something really terrific for your Dad!

ABG
*or I suppose you could do it in paper & talk on the phone while you do it!